Gorges de l'Arly
Just ten minutes' drive from Megève's polished village centre, the Gorges de l'Arly cut a dramatic limestone canyon through the foothills that feels like a completely different world — mossy, wild and almost entirely free of other tourists. The river Arly tumbles through narrow passages and past old mill ruins on a walk that takes two to three hours return.
The trail
The main footpath enters the gorge from the village of Flumet on the D218B road and follows the river upstream through increasingly narrow passages. Steel walkways bolted to the cliff face carry you over the deepest sections where the canyon walls close to just a few metres apart.
The path is well-maintained but involves some metal ladders and uneven rock surfaces — wear proper walking shoes rather than trainers. Children who are comfortable on rough terrain manage it fine from about age seven upwards.
What to look for
The canyon walls support a microclimate of ferns, mosses and liverworts that thrive in the permanent shade and spray. In late spring, the Arly runs high and fast with snowmelt, turning a milky turquoise; by August the water is clear enough to see the riverbed.
Keep an eye out for dippers — small brown birds that walk underwater along the riverbed hunting insects — and grey wagtails flicking their tails on mid-river boulders. The gorge is an excellent spot for macro photography of wet rock textures and plant life.
Combining with a day out
Flumet itself is a quiet village with a decent crêperie (La Crêperie du Torrent) and a small 12th-century church. Pair the gorge walk with a visit to the nearby Col des Aravis viewpoint (1,486 m) for big mountain views to cap the day.
The gorge is accessible year-round but is most dramatic in spring and early summer. In winter some sections may be icy and the metal walkways require care — poles are useful.
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